Certification / Licensure

Find information on career certification/licensing in the state that you want to work. Contact the state certification/licensing office and ask what additional training or paperwork you will need to become a fully certified/licensed professional in that state.

Requirements to become a fully certified/licensed special educator, early intervention or related service provider vary greatly from state to state, as do the terms used to describe disabilities and disability categories. State certification/licensing agencies can give you specific details about the steps you need to take to become a fully certified/licensed professional or paraprofessional.

Most states have alternative routes to certification/licensure. Note that some states listed below have separate websites to describe their alternative route programs.

The National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality has a comprehensive national database on special education teacher certification and licensure state policy. Learn more here.

The National Center to Improve the Recruitment and Retention of Qualified Personnel for Children with Disabilities (Personnel Improvement Center). A Cooperative Agreement, H325C080001, between the US Department of Education and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. Project Officer: Maryann McDermott